Questions about Auto loans

I never applied for one and I have a few VERY basic questions. Like most people here, I'm working on building my credit and I just got my 2nd CC. I'm planning on applying for a loan sometime after winter to give time for my score to grow a lil more. I read over some of the post here for auto loan approvals and its really cool to see people with the same income and score as me, are able to get loans. Please keep in mind that this will be my 1st time, so most of these questions are very basic. I'll space them for easy answering.

Where should I apply first? A credit union, bank, dealership or just shop around.

Once approved, how is the money transferred to you and how long does it normally take.

I currently am planning on applying after the winter, but I hear the dealerships have good yearend deals, should I try at the end of the year?

I see that most of the people on the approval topic purchases new or "newer" cars. Is this a limitation that comes with a auto loan or just personal preference. I've been looking at older cars (around 2005-7).

I'll stop here. Even if you answer one question, it would be very much appreciated.

Re: Questions about Auto loans

If you have a credit union you do business with, you might want to start there. CUs are generally more flexible. I'd try to pick a couple CUs and/or banks before going to the dealer to see what terms you are offered. Then, you go to the dealer to see if they can beat that deal, but at least you know that financing is taken care of. Time it so that you are going to the dealer reasonably soon after you speak to the CU/banks. All auto inquiries within a certain timeframe will be scored as one inquiry. They will each appear on your report, but FICO will only score one. I always forget the exact timeframe. I think it was 14 days on the older scoring models, but is 30 (or 45?) on the newer scoring models.

3. Before or after new year? Why are you planning on waiting until after the new year? Only you can decide whether the car fits into your budget earlier. If you are waiting for certain credit improvements, we'd need more info to try to determine whether a couple extra months will help you.

4. New vs. old cars. Lenders have age restrictions for vehicles. An older vehicle is more difficult to finance because it has less resell value, so their security interest is less. I don't know where that cutoff is generally, but that is one of the reasons you are not seeing a lot of cars from 2005.

Re: Questions about Auto loans

1. I'm not doing business with a CU, but I just got a auto loan approval from my CC. I didn't know there was a timeframe like you mentioned for auto loan inquiries. I'll search around here, but if anyone has more info, please share.

3. My plan was applying after because I just got a increase on my CC and was approved for a walmart card, plus I'm working on a 3 GW to send out.

Also I was thinking of using my tax return as maybe down payment. But this preapprovel thing got me thinking about applying now, plus my 94 accord with 300,000+ mile is a Oil-holic.

Forums posts are not provided or commissioned by FICO. Forums posts have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by FICO. It is not FICO's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Advertiser Disclosure: The listings that appear on myFICO are from companies from which myFICO receives compensation, which may impact how and where products appear on myFICO (including, for example, the order in which they appear). myFICO does not review or include all companies or all available products.

† Credit cards for FICO Score ranges: The score ranges are guidelines based on internal myFICO analysis of actual applicant approvals, and having a FICO Score in a particular range does not guarantee you will be approved for credit cards recommended in that range. These ranges were not provided by any card issuer.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All FICO® Score products made available on myFICO.com include a FICO® Score 8, along with additional FICO® Score versions. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than the versions you receive from myFICO, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more

FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Many factors affect your FICO Score and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair
organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or
assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating. FTC's website on credit.